Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Many parents whose first language is not English, find it difficult to spend reading time with their children because they have low literacy skills in the new language. As their kids grow older, parents have more difficulties with the verbal interaction because their children learn English at school while parents advance more slowly in their English language acquisition. Parents want to help their children be successful at school. Parents can benefit from a literacy program to increase their English knowledge, as well as increase ideas for helping their children learn a love for reading.

Response:
Iowa State University in Woodbury County offered Families and Books program at Midtown Family Community Center (MFCC). Families and Books program was held once a week for five weeks with each session lasting one hour and forty five minutes. Six mothers and six children attended the program. The ISUE Family staff worked with mothers in the program. 4-H staff from MFCC and volunteers worked with the children from these families in story time. At each session, parents increased their English skills with 40 minutes of ESL classes; modeled reading, took home books and materials for activities, and learned tips for reading with their children at home.

Impact:
At the end of the program, mothers declared that they had increased the quantity of verbal interaction with their children. They realized that they can get a lot of information from just one book; they talked with their kids about shapes, colors , people, animals and places that appeared in the books. They shared that each child at home now had a favorite book.

Additional Team Members or Community Partners:
Cheryl Connot Perez, Youth Program Specialist; Carrie Dunn, AmeriCorps Youth Program Coordinator

Contact:
Nancy Nicho
Woodbury County Extension
4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 213
Sioux City, IA 51106
712-276-2157